HOLEY LAND WMA

Seventeen miles south of Lake Okeechobee and forty miles north of Everglades National Park, the 35,350-acre Holey Land Wildlife Management Area is part of the most northern extent of remaining Everglades sawgrass marsh. Former marsh to the north has been drained for agriculture while Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 and the newly constructed Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir lie to the east. Here you can hunt white-tailed deer, common snipe, and marsh rabbit. Blue-winged teal, mottled ducks, and other waterfowl are found in the sloughs in the northeastern portion of the area. Although the marsh is most easily traversed by airboats and tracked vehicles, the extensive network of levees and canals constructed for flood control and water supply afford ample opportunities for bird watching, fishing, hiking, and biking.

Location

Southwestern Palm Beach County, north of Water Conservation Area 3 and on the east side of the Miami Canal.

From Clewiston – Take US 27 south to Palm Beach/Broward County line. From county line, take L-5 levee west approximately 9 mi to first access point, which is on the north side of the levee.

From Ft. Lauderdale – Take I-595 west to I-75 north. Take I-75 north to US 27. Take US 27 north to Palm Beach/Broward County line. From county line, take L-5 levee west approximately 9 mi to first access point, which is on the north side of the levee.

Levees are good places to view wildlife. You may encounter white-tailed deer, raccoons, common opossums, armadillos, river otter, bobcats, rabbits, and rats. Swallow-tailed kites, red-shouldered hawks, and many migratory birds are seen during the winter months. Wood storks, ibises, great blue herons, snowy egrets, and cattle egrets are common. The endangered Florida panther may be an occasional visitor to the area.